0 to 60 pony * update*

[Lou23]

Got daughter to ride on Friday (pony took off with her Thursday) Both rider & pony fine and they worked well together doing lots of walk/halt transitions, halt/ trot transitions and had canter on the straight. When pony took off he was crossing his jaw and locking neck so have put him back in a flash to stop him crossing his jaw. Older rider tested him for us Saturday, ok in field but when in school doing a circle in canter he sticks out his shoulder, and tries to cross jaw but can't because of flash and the older rider can hold him with her leg.

Took Daughter and pony to show on Sunday for dressage. Did intro A walk & trot test and pony wouldn't move kept stopping. Moved onto Pre lim 1, both rider and Pony going and looking great but rider froze on the canter part. Didn't want to take to show after Thursday but Daughter insisted she wanted to go.

Pony did have a little blip after she froze of a rocking horse action but when rider sat back it all stopped.

So now the problem is building the confidence in the rider again but I worry if pony will try again.

Any advice on building daughter's confidence. I thought of lunge lesson and possibly asking YO to school pony once a week.

 

[archie1]

could try a grakle instead of a flash. i know you didn't ask about that but our tb was softer with a grakle and rounder losing a lot of tension. lunge lesson is a good idea but make sure that your daughter agrees with another rider in case its a situation of - well the pony is fine with them, its just me thats the problem, why bother. had this with my brother!!

 

[Dressagebabe]

Thats great news to hear she has got back on him at least, he may have got his tongue stuck over the bit when he misbehaved, it can be quite frightening for a horse/pony when this happens because they then get a really uncomfortable pressure under the tongue ridge and then when they try to run from it the rider naturally grabs at the reins to prevent them running and so the bit acts as a nut cracker action underneath the tongue which then forces the tongue into the roof of the mouth making them feel like they cant swallow! anyway, I am really please your daughter has found confidence to get back on him, now I would put her on the lunge and teach her to do loads of transitions, 10 steps trot then back to walk for 10 then decrease the amount each time until she is down to 2 steps, she will be concentrating on the counting and getting it correct which takes away the worrying about what he is going to do next. When SHE is ready do the same in canter. Give her a big pat on the back and to you to for not putting in a stronger bit!

 

[Lou23]

She's happy to have another rider as she knows they are alot older and stronger and gets confidence seeing what other people can do on him, its a case if they can do it with no problems i can too. Going to use a grackle if we are still having problems

 

[Lou23]

Yes was very pleased with my Daughter getting back on, she loves this pony to bits. After having a chat with YO decided the stronger bit won't really help as he crosses the jaw and locks his neck so stronger bit won't really help and also have it as an option when we have tried everything else. Will get her on the lunge tonight.

What we need to do is increase confidence with my daughter, YO mentioned sports phycologist but they are out of my price range. My Daughter has a problem of freezing and nobody can get her past it, if she believed in herself more it would all be alot easier. She's quite a good rider, gentle with hands, good position, just lacks confidence. Any suggestions

 

[Dressagebabe]

Its a common problem which is also difficult for the pony/horse because they look to us for confidence and if the rider freezes in a scary situation the pony with think she has disappeared and will then have to make his own decision which usually is the one we dont want - to flee from fear hence him bolting! try to tell her to count in her head or sing out load while she is using lots of leg, the singing stops the pony picking up on her feeling nervous as she will regulate her breathing whilst singing. The other thing I would suggest if it is at all possible is to get her riding lots of different ponies, this really builds confidence because you just have to get on and because you really dont know the pony as you do your own you cant analyse its every move. The more she rides the more her confidence will come. Its good if you have a reputable riding school where she can go for the day and work and ride several ponies, I know she has her own pony but this would really help her confidence if it is possible. Good luck with her progress she will get there its just got to be on her terms, anyway, nervous children usually make good riders because they are sensitive to the way the horse is going and tend to have a much better feel.